U.S. needs statesmen in image of Washington

4:16 AM,
Jul. 12, 2013

Chris Devaney

Written by

Chris Devaney

In the spring of 1796, George Washington faced the supreme constitutional crisis of his presidency. After nearly a year of negotiation, Washington presented the Jay Treaty to the U.S. Senate for ratification. This agreement was meant to avert war with the British; however, several portions of the document contained provisions for new spending, which, according to the Constitution, meant the treaty also had to be reviewed by a politically unfriendly House of Representatives.

Washington wanted the treaty ratified as soon as possible by the Senate to squelch the international crisis, ...